Systems and methods for discontinuous multi-media content transfer and handling

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention broadly provide systems, methods and devices for discontinuous multi-media content transfer and handling. Various embodiments of the invention also provide for multi-media content management such that various policies (for example, DRM policies of multi-media content providers) are efficiently adhered to.

1. An apparatus comprising:
 one or more processors; and 
 one or more computer readable storage devices having computer program code embodied therewith, the computer program code comprising: 
 computer program code configured to enable the apparatus to utilize a first network connection for downloading selection data for selecting multi-media content for download; and 
 computer program code configured to delay download of the multi-media content selected for download until a second network connection is available to the apparatus, the second network connection being more suitable for downloading the multi-media content selected for download than the first network connection. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first network connection is a cellular WAN Internet connection. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the second network connection is a WiFi Internet connection. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the second network connection is a wired Internet connection. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein selecting multi-media content for download further comprises purchasing the multi-media content selected for download. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the computer program code further comprises:
 computer program code configured to determine if purchased multi-media content comprises digital rights managed (DRM) content. 
 
     
     
       7. The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the computer program code further comprises:
 computer program code configured to determine if the DRM content has expired. 
 
     
     
       8. The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the computer readable program code further comprises:
 computer readable program code configured to delete DRM content determined to have expired. 
 
     
     
       9. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more storage devices; 
 wherein the one or more storage devices comprise a dedicated multi-media content storage device. 
 
     
     
       10. A method comprising:
 utilizing one or more processors to execute a program of instructions stored on one or more computer readable storage devices and configured to: 
 utilize a first network connection for downloading selection data for selecting multi-media content for download; and 
 delay download of the multi-media content selected for download until a second network connection is available, the second network connection being more suitable for downloading the multi-media content selected for download than the first network connection. 
 
     
     
       11. The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the first network connection is a cellular WAN Internet connection. 
     
     
       12. The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the second network connection is a WiFi Internet connection. 
     
     
       13. The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the second network connection is a wired Internet connection. 
     
     
       14. The method according to  claim 10 , wherein selecting multi-media content for download further comprises purchasing the multi-media content selected for download. 
     
     
       15. The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising:
 utilizing the one or more processors to execute a program of instructions configured to determine if purchased multi-media content comprises digital rights managed (DRM) content. 
 
     
     
       16. The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 utilizing the one or more processors to execute a program of instructions configured to determine if the DRM content has expired. 
 
     
     
       17. The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 utilizing the one or more processors to execute a program of instructions configured to delete DRM content determined to have expired. 
 
     
     
       18. The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 utilizing the one or more processors to execute a program of instructions configured to store multi-media content on a dedicated multi-media content storage device. 
 
     
     
       19. The method according to  claim 10 , wherein to delay download of the multi-media content selected for download until a second network connection is available further comprises:
 in response to the second connection being terminated prior to completion of downloading the multi-media content selected for download, reestablishing the second network connection; and 
 resuming downloading the multi-media content selected for download in response to reestablishing the second network connection; 
 wherein one or more portions of the multi-media content selected for download that were downloaded prior to the second connection being terminated are stored such that the downloading resumes from a point approximating the second connection termination. 
 
     
     
       20. A computer program product comprising a computer readable storage device having computer readable program code embodied therewith, the computer readable program code being configured to:
 utilize a first network connection for downloading selection data for selecting multi-media content for download; and 
 delay download of the multi-media content selected for download until a second network connection is available to the apparatus, the second network connection being more suitable for downloading the multi-media content selected for download than the first network connection.